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�	H.B.�No.�609

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�	AN ACT
�	relating to the composition of the jury in certain adjudication
�	hearings in juvenile court.
�	�������BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF TEXAS:
�	�������SECTION�1.��Section 54.03(c), Family Code, is amended to
�	read as follows:
�	�������(c)��Trial shall be by jury unless jury is waived in
�	accordance with Section 51.09. If the hearing is on a petition that
�	has been approved by the grand jury under Section 53.045, the jury
�	must consist of 12 persons and be selected in accordance with the
�	requirements in criminal cases. If the hearing is on a petition
�	that alleges conduct that violates a penal law of this state of the
�	grade of misdemeanor, the jury must consist of the number of persons
�	required by Article 33.01(b), Code of Criminal Procedure. Jury
�	verdicts under this title must be unanimous.
�	�������SECTION�2.��Section 54.03(c), Family Code, as amended by
�	this Act, applies to an adjudication hearing conducted in a
�	juvenile court for which a jury is selected on or after the
�	effective date of this Act, regardless of the date the petition on
�	which the hearing is based was filed.
�	�������SECTION�3.��This Act takes effect September 1, 2009.
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�	______________________________	______________________________
�	���President of the Senate	Speaker of the House�����
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�	�������I certify that H.B. No. 609 was passed by the House on April
�	15, 2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 147, Nays 0, 1 present, not
�	voting.
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�	______________________________
�	Chief Clerk of the House���
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�	�������I certify that H.B. No. 609 was passed by the Senate on May 5,
�	2009, by the following vote:��Yeas 31, Nays 0.
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�	______________________________
�	Secretary of the Senate����
�	APPROVED:��_____________________
�	�������������������Date����������
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�	����������_____________________
�	�����������������Governor�������